Doug Schmell cashing in his vaulted massive collecion. Poll: Is this the top?

[Bluetooth-migration]

The argument about to buy or not to buy from Doug Schmell reminds me for a theme from the Golden Age section about incident some time ago where Silver Acre (an UK dealer) agreed to a price on a Batman 1 and then backed out of the agreement when another buyer cut in and offered more money for the book. Many of the collectors decided not to buy from Silver Acre for the future (I am one of them), because they do not want to support unhonest dealer...

 

I have dealt with SilverAcre (Darryl) in the past ...never any issues. This lamentful episode I did not know of

 

That's not the only story...

 

there are plenty of stories to read up on Daryl and silver acre!

 

Not the most ethical seller in the world.

 

When I sold my/my Dad's collection to him in 1995 he offered what he said was all the money he had on him. then he took out a huge amount and counted out the money he offered me. I know I agreed to the sale but I was in financial need and he was the only one offering me anything. Buyer beware/seller beware!

 

ABSOLUTELY.

In a nutshell, you could be in a crowded room and agree to buy 5 books off him for $20. You could shake and say deal. While you were taking your money out of your wallet to pay, another guy could appear and offer $30. He would sell to the other guy. He would do this for a $20, $200, $2000, $20000 or $2 deal.

That is the nature of the guy. He's slippery, slimy and unethical.

If he offered me a book for free, I'd run away screaming.

[ciorac]

These books are incredibly special. Doug is a very friendly guy and I enjoy talking comics with him. He paid a high price for his past transgressions and does not deserve to be permanently ostracized from this community because his sanctions in the legal profession are a matter of public record. Enjoy these books, this auction, and the great things that have been happening in our hobby.

 

Actually, if he'd learned from his legal transgressions and not continued being a shyster in the comics arena, there'd be a lot more sympathy for him.

 

I'm not apologizing for Doug. I'm just of the opinion that its senseless to question his reasoning for consigning his books to Heritage. I also find it slightly ridiculous that there is such extreme hostility toward the books themselves (with people refusing to bid on, or even watch, the auction) because of the character history of the consignor. These books are arguably the finest examples in existence. Once sold and resold, should the books be avoided and ignored because Doug once owned them? Should we ignore every book previously sold on Pedigree's site because they were once sold through Doug's company? It just makes no sense. This is a hobby about collecting funny books, and some of the comments in this thread just seem to miss the mark.

 

It makes plenty of sense.

 

Any financial gain on these books will go directly to Doug...not the 84 year old grandmother who unwittingly financed them.

 

Boycott them now...bid on them later.

 

Ideally I would agree, but there's no way any of these books will actually sell cheaply, based on principle.

 

Ultimately, he paid a steep price for his transgressions, and presumably, the people who he cheated were made whole through the proper legal channels. He does own the books; he financed them with his disbarment

 

But what about the profits he has made, and will likely soon make? If someone steals 100k from another person, invests it, is caught and pays the 100k back, but made a profit on the ill gotten gains (which the thief keeps), is the victim whole?

 

Seems to me there needs to be an additional punitive aspect

 

From us Bill? Are we all so perfect? I just don't agree that it's my place to impose additional punitive sanctions on Doug for his past by ignoring the books he has put up for auction.

 

I don't collect that stuff anyway, so I wouldn't be bidding in the auction regardless of the seller. Just seems like, in a perfect world, some of the profits would go back to the unwitting financiers of the books. That's what I meant by punitive.

[VintageComics]

I don't collect that stuff anyway, so I wouldn't be bidding in the auction regardless of the seller. Just seems like, in a perfect world, some of the profits would go back to the unwitting financiers of the books. That's what I meant by punitive.

 

(not directed at ciorac, just quoting you as a starting point)

 

I've never been a fan of any sort of punitive actions, mainly because I believe it's a position that has the least amount of room to learn from.

 

In a perfect world we would only avoid the books that were purchased by the money that was appropriated from his legal clients.

 

Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world yet so people are going to make personal decisions based on their own personal reasoning. More power to them.

 

I can see Sardo's POV and I can see F_T's.

 

Just realize that everyone is going to understand and feel differently about these things.

 

The inanimate, unliving, unfeeling books themselves are awesome. It is too bad that there is a checkered past behind some of them but just like a guy in a strip joint you can't help but stop and admire the things that you maybe should be avoiding.

 

I think that goes for pretty much everyone.

 

[JiveTurkeyMoFo]

Exactly, the stress might cause spine ticks.

 

Doug's books being auctioned off of Heritage will sell high. When the new owners try to re-sell, they will sell lower. My prediction

 

Well, this is already pretty much a given as everybody knows by now that the Heritage hype machine will always maximize the dollars realized on their featured collection auctions.

 

This was quite evident with their recent Billy Wright books which generally could not hit the same dollars on the second go round. This has happened time amd time again with the big hyped collections from Heritage.

 

why are people surprised that after paying top $ when you turn around and try to flip them within months you are gonna get your azz handed to you? this isn't HA's fault.

 

I saw several big dollar Twin Cities books that just sold for half or less then their original HA hammer prices (when you factor in the commission) in this C-link auction.

 

I don't know who the consignor(s) was/were, or even if they were the same person who bought the books originally, but that's a pretty steep decline from one year to another.

[Forbush-Man]

These books are incredibly special. Doug is a very friendly guy and I enjoy talking comics with him. He paid a high price for his past transgressions and does not deserve to be permanently ostracized from this community because his sanctions in the legal profession are a matter of public record. Enjoy these books, this auction, and the great things that have been happening in our hobby.

 

Actually, if he'd learned from his legal transgressions and not continued being a shyster in the comics arena, there'd be a lot more sympathy for him.

 

I'm not apologizing for Doug. I'm just of the opinion that its senseless to question his reasoning for consigning his books to Heritage. I also find it slightly ridiculous that there is such extreme hostility toward the books themselves (with people refusing to bid on, or even watch, the auction) because of the character history of the consignor. These books are arguably the finest examples in existence. Once sold and resold, should the books be avoided and ignored because Doug once owned them? Should we ignore every book previously sold on Pedigree's site because they were once sold through Doug's company? It just makes no sense. This is a hobby about collecting funny books, and some of the comments in this thread just seem to miss the mark.

 

I have to respectfully disagree with you on some of what you wrote my good friend and esteemed colleague. I am not making this about Doug per se at all but rather commenting generally regarding the premise of your sentiment.

 

When there is a seller who has a particular history surrounding them that is negative, whether because of something they might have done or suspected of having done, or just simply because they have a negative attitude that people don't like, there is absolutely no reason why prospective buyers should not steer clear of the books/items they are selling.

 

It is not about hostility towards the specific books, but about who derives the benefit from the actual sale. Once the books get past that particular owner there is no reason to believe the books will be considered tainted (assuming the history of what might have been physically done to the books is something a buyer is not concerned about).

 

There are a number of dealers/sellers I will never purchase from (again, I am not making any comment about Doug) given their history of fraud or suspected fraud or just simply because I think they are a jerk. My issue is not with the book, but with the person whose profits I do not want to contribute to. If I do not take such a stand on principle at least, then why bother having any type of ethics or standards to strive for.

 

In any event, you're still my bud.

 

Mark, I don't believe (and I hope nobody here believes) that a person lacks ethics merely because they choose to bid on these books with knowledge of the consignor's past. And yes, we are still buds and I owe you a phone call.

 

That would make the Green River books untouchable, right?

[skypinkblu]

 

That would make the Green River books untouchable, right?

 

Is the green river killer, consigning them?

 

Happy Birthday:)

[Forbush-Man]

 

That would make the Green River books untouchable, right?

 

Is the green river killer, consigning them?

 

Happy Birthday:)

 

I'm just saying they would be untouchable if the previous owners conduct were taken into account.

[tth2]

Another quote from an old thread:

 

Leonardo Dicaprio is apparently a Golden Age collector. Samuel L Jackson, Gene Simmons from Kiss, Sebastian Bach from Skid Row. Charlie Sheen sold his copy of Action Comics #1 App 6.5 about 6 years ago.

Gene should be along here any minute now to declare authoritatively, definitively and emphatically that celebrities and rich people never ever ever spend serious money on comic books or OA.

[tth2]

I think the quality of the 678 books being sold by doug speak for themselves, if you are a collector...this is it....put your money where you mouth is...it anit gonna get any better than this.....marvel wise

 

Yeah, Doug by far has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth. I'm sure whoever is #2 on the registry is happy... saying "whew.. finally"

Doug has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth that`s in the Registry.

 

But it`s not the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth.

[Gotham Kid]

I think the quality of the 678 books being sold by doug speak for themselves, if you are a collector...this is it....put your money where you mouth is...it anit gonna get any better than this.....marvel wise

 

Yeah, Doug by far has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth. I'm sure whoever is #2 on the registry is happy... saying "whew.. finally"

Doug has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth that`s in the Registry.

 

But it`s not the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth.

 

That would belong to Brulato. And BTW, fellow boardie Tempus Fugitivus is ranked #1 in the registry.

[tth2]

It does, however, give credence to the thought that Doug's shenanigans have finally come home to roost.

Yes, I`m sure walking away with a couple of million bucks will really teach him a lesson.

[Flaming_Telepath]

The argument about to buy or not to buy from Doug Schmell reminds me for a theme from the Golden Age section about incident some time ago where Silver Acre (an UK dealer) agreed to a price on a Batman 1 and then backed out of the agreement when another buyer cut in and offered more money for the book. Many of the collectors decided not to buy from Silver Acre for the future (I am one of them), because they do not want to support unhonest dealer...

 

I have dealt with SilverAcre (Darryl) in the past ...never any issues. This lamentful episode I did not know of

 

That's not the only story...

 

there are plenty of stories to read up on Daryl and silver acre!

 

Not the most ethical seller in the world.

 

When I sold my/my Dad's collection to him in 1995 he offered what he said was all the money he had on him. then he took out a huge amount and counted out the money he offered me. I know I agreed to the sale but I was in financial need and he was the only one offering me anything. Buyer beware/seller beware!

 

ABSOLUTELY.

In a nutshell, you could be in a crowded room and agree to buy 5 books off him for $20. You could shake and say deal. While you were taking your money out of your wallet to pay, another guy could appear and offer $30. He would sell to the other guy. He would do this for a $20, $200, $2000, $20000 or $2 deal.

That is the nature of the guy. He's slippery, slimy and unethical.

If he offered me a book for free, I'd run away screaming.

 

If Darryl shakes on a deal...count your fingers afterwards.

[Mmehdy]

the new buyers in the last 2 years, so ive heard rumored , are the Facebook guy, multimillionaires from China (to whom 2-4 million USD is pocket change) and of course Di Caprio

 

 

Much more than going on that, yes some hollywood, but wrong continent about the 5-6 new buyers( ALTHOUGH I have heard about 1 far east new collector), Ask ha, they know them ALL.

[Gotham Kid]

The argument about to buy or not to buy from Doug Schmell reminds me for a theme from the Golden Age section about incident some time ago where Silver Acre (an UK dealer) agreed to a price on a Batman 1 and then backed out of the agreement when another buyer cut in and offered more money for the book. Many of the collectors decided not to buy from Silver Acre for the future (I am one of them), because they do not want to support unhonest dealer...

 

I have dealt with SilverAcre (Darryl) in the past ...never any issues. This lamentful episode I did not know of

 

That's not the only story...

 

there are plenty of stories to read up on Daryl and silver acre!

 

Not the most ethical seller in the world.

 

When I sold my/my Dad's collection to him in 1995 he offered what he said was all the money he had on him. then he took out a huge amount and counted out the money he offered me. I know I agreed to the sale but I was in financial need and he was the only one offering me anything. Buyer beware/seller beware!

 

ABSOLUTELY.

In a nutshell, you could be in a crowded room and agree to buy 5 books off him for $20. You could shake and say deal. While you were taking your money out of your wallet to pay, another guy could appear and offer $30. He would sell to the other guy. He would do this for a $20, $200, $2000, $20000 or $2 deal.

That is the nature of the guy. He's slippery, slimy and unethical.

If he offered me a book for free, I'd run away screaming.

 

If Darryl shakes on a deal...count your fingers afterwards.

 

 

Shocked. Bought 3 big ticket books from him. No hassles. Seemed like a nice enough guy exchanging emails etc... Go figure.

[BlowUpTheMoon]

the new buyers in the last 2 years, so ive heard rumored , are the Facebook guy, multimillionaires from China (to whom 2-4 million USD is pocket change) and of course Di Caprio

 

 

Much more than going on that, yes some hollywood, but wrong continent about the 5-6 new buyers( ALTHOUGH I have heard about 1 far east new collector), Ask ha, they know them ALL.

 

A drdonaldblake and Mmehdy dialogue piques my interests. .

[Mark 1]

If we listened to everyone on this site about who NOT to buy from....we wouldn't have anyone to buy from.

 

Just sayin.....

[paperheart]

Exactly, the stress might cause spine ticks.

 

Doug's books being auctioned off of Heritage will sell high. When the new owners try to re-sell, they will sell lower. My prediction

 

Well, this is already pretty much a given as everybody knows by now that the Heritage hype machine will always maximize the dollars realized on their featured collection auctions.

 

This was quite evident with their recent Billy Wright books which generally could not hit the same dollars on the second go round. This has happened time amd time again with the big hyped collections from Heritage.

 

why are people surprised that after paying top $ when you turn around and try to flip them within months you are gonna get your azz handed to you? this isn't HA's fault.

 

I saw several big dollar Twin Cities books that just sold for half or less then their original HA hammer prices (when you factor in the commission) in this C-link auction.

 

I don't know who the consignor(s) was/were, or even if they were the same person who bought the books originally, but that's a pretty steep decline from one year to another.

 

i bought a couple TC Actions on Clink down 60% and that's hammer to hammer, no vig. the HA prices were off the charts, the Clink ones not so much.

[Gotham Kid]

If we listened to everyone on this site about who NOT to buy from....we wouldn't have anyone to buy from.

 

Just sayin.....

 

Don't think that's entirely true...

[chrisco37]

the new buyers in the last 2 years, so ive heard rumored , are the Facebook guy, multimillionaires from China (to whom 2-4 million USD is pocket change) and of course Di Caprio

 

 

Much more than going on that, yes some hollywood, but wrong continent about the 5-6 new buyers( ALTHOUGH I have heard about 1 far east new collector), Ask ha, they know them ALL.

 

A drdonaldblake and Mmehdy dialogue piques my interests. .

 

The WIN potential is high.

[VintageComics]

I think the quality of the 678 books being sold by doug speak for themselves, if you are a collector...this is it....put your money where you mouth is...it anit gonna get any better than this.....marvel wise

 

Yeah, Doug by far has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth. I'm sure whoever is #2 on the registry is happy... saying "whew.. finally"

Doug has the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth that`s in the Registry.

 

But it`s not the best CGC silver age superhero collection on Earth.

 

Yup. Tom's got the only Hulk #1 9.4, only FF #1 9.6 - quite the collection.

 

Doug and Tom were VERY competitive over the years, always trying to eke each other out.